Study: India among five nations that account for half of world’s deadly lung infections

A research team led by an Indian-origin researcher found that India, China, Nigeria, Pakistan and Indonesia account for over 16 million or half of the global cases of a deadly lung infection in children each year.

Professor Harish Nair.
Photo Courtesy: Linkedin page

"We are at an opportune time to step up efforts to prevent RSV infection in young children. With more than 60 candidate vaccines in clinical development, it is likely that an RSV vaccine will be available in the next 5-7 years," said lead researcher Harish Nair, professor at the University of Edinburgh. "Our findings will provide better evidence to inform global funding priorities to accelerate vaccine development. It will assist policy makers and experts prepare for the early introduction of this vaccine in developing countries."

The team at the University of Edinburgh analysed data from 329 studies of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) infection worldwide. Their estimates, published in The Lancet journal, indicate that there are more than 33 million cases of RSV infection in children under five globally each year.

University of Edinburgh campus. Photo Courtesy: ed.ac.uk

Five countries - India, China, Nigeria, Pakistan and Indonesia - account for half of the estimated cases of RSV worldwide, researchers said. RSV is a common and highly contagious virus that infects the respiratory tract of most children before their second birthday.

Around three million are admitted to hospital each year with the virus, which causes breathing difficulties and wheezing. Experts report that more than 115,000 children under five are dying each year from complications associated with the infection. Almost half of those who die in hospital are younger than six months and more than 99 per cent of deaths occur in developing countries, the study estimated.

Researchers say more data is needed from Africa and South Asia, where the number of RSV infections may be even higher.

Author

Tushaar Kuthiala – Senior Writer

Tushaar has five years experience as a journalist in founding two start-up newspapers. He worked as a special correspondent based in New Delhi with Daily World, an international media organisation. He enjoys reading and writing fiction in his spare time.

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